Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-10-22
RAILROAD REFORM.
Proposed Law Looking to Relief from
Terrible Accidents.

lslati0n Tor the protection OF travel I
ers. The bill prepared by the
National Association of Railway
Conductors, recently held in the State
of Maine, Is the most intelligent yet
offered, and as it win be introduced
at the coming session of Congress, it
is here reproduced. In o preface to
the measure, which is entitled
!" Bill for licensing railway conduc-
tors and locomotive engineers on
certain railways in the United
States" attention is called to the fact
that many of the most serious acci-
dents are caused by incompetency on
the part of those in charge of trains,
several instances having occurred
within the past year, and some Of
them so terrible in their consequence
that they are fresh in the memory
of all,
The first section of the act provides
that on and after July 1, 1889, no
railroads in the United States en-
gagged in transportation from. one
State or Territory TO another, or a
foreiga country, shall employ or
permit any persion TO serve as con
ductor or engineer unless such per-
son is licensed as provided in the ac'.
The second action provides for the
appointment of Chief Examiner By
the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, 10 carry
out the provisions OF the act, to
receive q salary of $3.50 with trav-
cling EXPENSES. and shall rom time
to time report to the Secretary Of
the Treasury.
Another section authorized the
appointment by the Chief Examiner
of ten Supervising Examiners, at
salary of -, 500 per annum each and
travelling enpenses, all to be selected
for knowledge, skill and practical
experience in railway train service
and the operation of trains and
engines. The Chief and Supervising
Examiners shall met in Washing
ton City and organize, and on the
second Wednesday in January fol-
lowing, with the approval Of the
Secretary of the Treasury, they shall
divide the United States into ten
districts, and in each district there
shall be two District Examiners,
one conductor and the other an en-
gineer, ut salary salary Of $1,000 per
annum, and in addition assistant
examiners, when their services are
actually needed, at a salary OF not
exceeding 81 800 per annum. Pro
vision is also made for the appoint
ment of clerks. The local examin-
ers have power to license conductors
and locomotive engineers. 1t is pro
vided that whenever any person
shall make application to be licensed
as railway conductor OF as a locomo-
tive engineer, the examiner shall
make diligent inquiry as to his char
acter and habits of life, and shall
carefully examine the applicant as to
his qualifications, poth mental and
physical, and his experience, as well
as the proof which he presents in
support of his claims, and any other
proof, which may be presented
touching the same, and if they are
satisfied that his capacity, experience,
skill, habits of life and character are
such dis to warrant the belief that he
can be safely entrusted with the
duties and responsibilities of the
station for which he makes applica-
tion, they shall grant him license
authorizing him to discharge such
duties for the term of one year. But
such license shall be suspended OF
revoked upon satisfactory proof oil
bad conduct, unskillfulness, intem-
perate habits, incapacity, inattention
to his duties or willful violation OF
any provision of this act.
Power is given to summon and
compel the attendance OF witnesses
before the Examinging Boards, to
administer oaths, to investigate
cases for the suspension and revoca-
tion OF licenses, and every one receiv-
ing license is required to subscribe
to an oath to faithfully and honestly
perform the duties of the position
, Each conductor and engineer are re-
,, quired to exhibit such license on the
request of any passenger on the train,
under penalty of a fine of one hun
dred dollars or revocation of license
The fee for each license is to be from
five to ten dollars, all to be paid into
the United States Treasury. Pro
! vision is made for appeal from the
!, District Examiners, and for the pay
. ment of witnesses.
1t is provided that if any licensed
! officer shall, to the hindrance of com.
, merce, wrongfully or unreasonably
refuse to serve in his official capacity
any railway as authorized by the
terms of his certificate of license, OF
shall fail to deliver to the applicant
: for such service, at the time of such
refusal, if the same shall be de
mandad, a statement in writing as
signing good and sufficient reasons
Z therefor, his license shall be revoked
, Any railway company, or any
, officer, receiver, trustee, lessee Oh
agent of any railway company OF
> other person knowinglng violating
; the provisions of this act shall be
liable to a penalty of $500, to be
r used for and collected in the name Of
: the United States by the District
, Attorney of the district in which any
such action may be brought. And L
2 shall be the duty of the Supervising
: and District Examiners to cause the
2 prosecution of any person so violat
5 ing the provisions of this act.